Envelop.



Patented June I2, I900. B. A. BROWN.

E N V E L 0 P (Application filed Oct. 20, 1899.)

(No Model.)

Q\ & N Q mm 60/15 41022,. I Cm @Wamqdv Rs (0., FHQTO-LITNOU yusumm'aN u c Nrrni) STATE PATENT OFFICE.

A. BROWN, OF FRANKLIN, OHIO.

ENVELOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651 ,456, dated June 12, 1900. Application filed October 20, 1899. Serial No. 734,232. (No model.)

To all w horn it may concern:

Be it known that I, BERRY A. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,residing atFranklin, in the county of \Varren and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelops, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

My present invention relates to a novel envelop; but before proceeding with a descrip tion thereof it may be well, by way of premise, to call attention to the considerations which have governed the product-ion of this device.

It is a fact well understood that first-class mailing-packets or envelopsihat is to say, those which are sealed by simply turning down a gummed sealing-flapare filled and sealed with m nch greater facility and despatch than any other form. The reason for this is that after the contents have been inserted the scaling is effected by a single movement of the hand, simultaneously turning down the flap and causing it to adhere to the body of the envelop. A further reason is that a great many machines have been produced for filling and sealing such packets. It is equally well known that second-class mailmatter must be unsealed in the technical sense to permit inspection of the contents. My efforts, therefore, have been directed to the production of an envelop which maybe closed and secured by the manipulation necessary for sealing first-class matter, but which when so closed will be secured by such detachable means as will bring the packet under the head of second-class matter.

To the accomplishment of this end the invention consists in the production of an envelop having a separate sealing-tongue detachably retained by the body of the envelop and to which the sealing-flap is designed to be sealed in the ordinary manner.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my envelop in the open position. Fig. 2 is a similar View thereof closed, and Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the tongue detached.

Referring to the numerals of reference indicating like parts in the several views, 1 indicates an envelop, which may be of ordinary form, comprising a body portion or retainer 2 and a sealing-flap 3, adapted to be turned which if employed for the retention of thee sealing-flap would constitute a secondclass seal under the postal laws.

In use the envelop is filled and the sealing: flap is turned down and sealed, as usual; but instead of being sealed to the envelop it is sealed to the upper end of the separate tongue 5, the retaining means of which now constitutes a second-class seal for the envelop.

There is another aspect in which my invention may be viewed. A certain class of retainers, which have come to be known as safety-envelops, are sealed or secured by means which is designed when tampered with to leave some evidence of the surreptitious entry. These safety-seals, while effective for the purpose mentioned, are in many cases difficult to manipulate, and their use in connection with fi1ling, sealing, and addressing machines is impossible. My invention is therefore further directed to such adaptation of the envelop as will permit the safety-seals to be closed during the manufacture of the envelop, which may then be filled, sealed, and addressed by the ordinary forms of such machines and which when delivered from the machine will be safety-sealed second-class matter. 1

In the drawings I have illustrated for example one form of safety second-class sealing, which consists in providing three or more parallel slits 6, 7, and '8, defining fragile straps 9 and 10. The lower end of the sepa* rate detached tongue is passed through the slit 6, under both straps, out through the bottom slit 8, over the strap 10, and under the strap 9, and is thus detachably retained by the body of the envelop. The envelop thus constructed is delivered by the manufacturer, and the user is enabled to fill and seal them as ordinary first-class matter, While having the advantages accruing from safety-sealed I wish it understood,

second-class matter.

however, that I do not limit myself to the An envelop havingasealing-flap, a separate sealing-tonguedetachably retained by the envelop and means for effecting a permanent connection between the sealing flap and 15 tongue when the former is turned down.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BERRY A. BROWN.

L. K. LANGDON,

| l Witnesses:

Mrs. W. H. LANGDON. 

